Zhou Qing defended him, saying, "Wei Xu has cultivated for several months. The spiritual energy within him has grown steadily denser, and his vitality is abundant. He has already reached the realm where he can forgo sleep entirely—how could he possibly be guilty of oversleeping? I hope Elder will investigate this clearly."
Jiang Renqing said, "A person's spirit is governed entirely by will. When one's heart has a steadfast resolve, one's vigor may be put to use and clarity can be maintained at all times."
"If one's resolve is muddled and slothful, then never mind that he has only just entered the sect—even among great cultivators at Foundation Establishment and Golden Core, are there few who sleep on and refuse to rise?"
"It is not that this hall refuses to investigate thoroughly. He himself admitted to the charge. Since that is the case, he must be punished severely."
Zhou Qing still wanted to defend Wei Xu, but Wei Xu said, "Senior Apprentice, don't say any more. This was my fault. I'll accept the punishment."
Only then did Zhou Qing say nothing further.
With a wave of Jiang Renqing's hand, a jade pillar two arm-spans around rose within the grim, murderous Punishment Hall. Two attendant disciples escorted Wei Xu before it, and an invisible force of attraction issued from the pillar, pinning Wei Xu against it.
Then an attendant disciple took out the Soul-Striking Whip.
It was a short whip roughly three feet long and as thick as a thumb, dark and gleaming, made of some unknown material.
Many runes were carved into the short whip. When the attendant disciple gripped it, the runes activated, stirring ring after ring of spiritual energy fluctuations.
Crack!
The attendant disciple snapped the whip, producing a crisp report.
The tip did not strike Wei Xu's